Interesting prompts ...
to start a conversation going ...
as and when you might need one ...
a diversion to talk about

Friday, 10 February 2012

Space Exploration – An International Effort

Welcome Stephen Tremp with an awesome summary of what's at stake as we explore further into space ... enjoy:

Dr Carl Sagan (1934 - 1996)

"The surface of the Earth is the shore of the cosmic ocean.
From it we have learned most of what we know.
Recently, we have waded a little out to sea, enough to dampen our toes or, at most, wet our ankles.The water seems inviting. The ocean calls.”

— Dr. Carl Sagan

Space. The final frontier. We remember this line from Star Trek, set in the 23rd century under the “United Federation of Planets.” The key word here is united. We have to ask, will space offer the possibility of mankind living together peaceably? Or is bloodshed inevitable as we explore and colonize our solar system as we did here on Earth? Currently, there are at least fourteen agencies with a stake in space exploration and possible exploitation.

The Players
NASA: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the agency of the United States responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research. Mission Statement: pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research.

International Space Station

ESA: The European Space Agency is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission: shape the development of Europe’s space capability and deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

Russia and China (the only other two countries besides the U.S. to independently send men into space), Japan, Iran, Israel, India, Mexico. Korea, Indoneisia, Pakistan, and Vietnam all have space agencies with a range of capabilities from astronaut training, to satellite operations, to sounding rockets (designed to take measurements and perform scientific research during sub-orbital flight), and recoverable biological sounding rockets.

Then there is the military, private sector, and educational institutions that have a growing stake in space exploration. With the Space Shuttle Program mothballed, many are calling for a government and private sector partnership in space exploration. The GOP candidates have also jumped on this topic.

Moon Colonization

It’s Already Begun:The International Space Station(ISS) is an artificial low-earth orbiting satellite and the ninth space station to be inhabited. The ISS has hosted a rotating international crew since November 2000. Crew members from around the world use the ISS as a research laboratory and conduct experiments in biology, physics, astronomy and other fields. It’s also used to test spacecraft systems and equipment for future use to missions to the Moon and Mars. Ready or not, here we go!

What’s Next: Human and robotic explorations of the moon, Mars, and near earth asteroids. Mining asteroids, planetoids, and spent comets could provide raw minerals such as iron, nickel, and titanium to help construct space stations right there in space. Pretty cool, huhn? Resources like water and oxygen could help sustain life. And water and hydrogen could be extracted for rocket fuel. Perhaps, platinum and cobalt could be returned for earth for profit. Both governments and private industry will be involved in this potentially lucrative business.

Mars Colonization

There’s No Need To Fear: Just as there is environmental protection for both earth's polar regions, so too will protecting the moon's and Mar's environment for scientific research. There is no legal ownership of the moon, although the U.S. has planted flags there. There is an Outer Space Treaty (1967) that defines the Moon and all outer space as the "province of all mankind. The moon cannot be used for military purposes and bans weapons of mass destruction.

Question: Should we set up residence in space or on planets and moons? Will space exploration provide social, intellectual, and economic benefits to everyone, or is this another black hole for our hard-earned tax dollars.

Thanks Hilary for hosting me on my Grand OPENING Blog Tour. And thanks everyone for stopping by and saying hello! Please visit me AT MY BLOG for more information on my novels BREAKTHROUGH and the recently released OPENING!

Breakthrough and Opening can be downloaded at:Kindle for $1.99Smashwordsfor $1.99

Congratulations Stephen on completing the second book of your trilogy - a wonderful achievement; I highly recommend your first book Breakthrough and cannot wait to find out how the good, bad and the ugly develop in this sequel ...

Space is an interesting 'arena' - and as each year passes we seem to learn more - it is fascinating and I'm delighted to have some subject matter on my blog - space does inspire people.

Stephen writes about science, space exploration - his interests, while interspersing with articles about publishing, self-publishing and useful tips and tricks he has found - there's a great deal of interaction and knowledge exchange over at his blog: Stephen Tremp - Author ... so please visit and join him along his trilogy journey.

Interesting post! Living in space or in settlements on other planets will probably end up being an option...one that I can't see many taking, though, unless things go drastically downhill here on Earth!

Fascinating post, Stephen. I hadn't really thought about the fighting over space exploration but, unfortunately, it's probably inevitable. I'm excited though to see what advances in space exploration are made in my life time.

Great deals on your books, I am going to snatch them up this weekend! :)

I love the vision of the future presented in Star Trek: The Original Series.

That future showed us one where we'd gotten past a lot of the natural aggression that is so prevalent these days.

Will we ever get to such a place?

I hope we will.

That being said, I think setting up a moonbase or space colony is a great thing. I would like to see it united by race, country, and creed (like Star Trek) or at least the promise of it (like Babylon 5)

I truly would love a Star Trekker type universe - you know where everyone gets on and all live in harmony -but I have a feeling given our human history - we will most likely carry on our conflicts here on earth out there too!

I hope I'm wrong cos it would be nice to just get along whereever we end up as a species!!!

@ Anne - no wonder I'm a blank - Cosmos tv series was in the 1980s - completely missed it! But I won't miss Stephen's 2nd book and I so enjoyed his first ..

@ Stephen - good to see you ... pleasure having you with such an interesting topic ..

@ Julie - I feel the same way, but like you am enjoying what advances are being made. Glad you're going to snatch up his books - Breakthrough is a great read, and Opening I have to get to ... enjoy them!

@ Robyn - it adds to my mix of articles - so I'm pleased to have Stephen over here ..

I can see the President's point - and now we seem to have other ways of looking at space and finding incredible new things .. then I'm sure a new space development will come about, with the 20th C technology looking decidedly antiquated.

Excellent another reader for Opening ..

@ Chase - dare I say it: I could never get into Star Trek?!

Like you I'd love to live in harmony all over our own world, then up there - if that happens.

How as you suggest .. similar to Star Trek or like Bablylon 5 - I'm afraid I'm lost!!!

@ Old Kitty - I obviously missed something not 'taking to' the Star Trek concept! I absolutely agree it would be good if we could just get along as a species whereever we are ...

I think we should do everything we can to get ourselves out there in as many practical places as possible. I see it as the new frontier and just like the west for the U.S. or Australia for several countries, amazing things will happen for those brave enough to seek new challenges an adventures. There are so very many possibilities awaiting us, and I don't think it will really be all that long. I sure hope not.

Hi Hilary and Stephen,Actually, 'inner space' is the 'final frontier'. That's probably a bit deep right about now and I'm not going to mention what posting of mine that refers too. You know, me, shy and humble :) I have done a couple of similar articles that have been basically unnoticed. Never mind..A fascinating insight by good old Stephen Tremp. Well done Stephen. One thing though, in my science and astronomy class, way back in 1968, I read an article that stated that man would be on Mars by 1977. So, what happened?Take care and have a peaceful, spaced out weekend.With respect, Gary

Just wanted to tell you that yours is one of the blogs I can't comment on -- any blog with word verification makes it impossible for me to comment. THis is new, and I have NO idea what's happening - have tried everything and still can't comment.

But wanted you to know I read Stephen's post and wanted to support with a comment and just couldnt!

***

I have taken off word verification .. but this is all becoming a pain .. I'll write a post about it after Valentine's Day .. re some thoughts - as I can't comment in embedded comment boxes ...

I just love the quote at the beginning. I don't have any desire to go to space or to visit other planets (if they do colonize) because I like earth but I think what they are doing with space exploration has been wonderful.

I have to say my inclination on the question asked is "another black hole for our hard-earned tax dollars." We've so far been such bad stewards of Planet Earth I dread seeing us extend that out to other planets.

I'm sure that future generations will look back on the first space habitations as extremely crude while most mortals living today will consider them almost unbelievable.Fifty years ago space travel was a dream. Fifty years before that aviation was barely out of its infancy and most homes had no electricity or indoor sanitation. Fifty years before that the US and UK agreed to repress slavery.

Its fun and interesting to see other people's responses to space exploration, what we need to do to get there, and the potential benefits and consequences. Regardless of the outcome, we can bank on setting up permanent colonies in space and on other planets and moons. We live in exciting times and I'm glad this is happening in my lifetime.

@ Madeleine - it is so interesting to learn about Space. You'd enjoy Stephen's book .. it's not really Sci-Fi - it is a very fast moving novel .. with scientific future ideas - all remotely possible and therefore believable. It's fun - and I'm sure Opening will be of the same ilk ..

@ Teresa - would you like to stay at a space station: I'd be terrified I couldn't get back .. fantastic that you really want to go....

@ Manzanita - let's hope we don't completely ruin it .. and I can still find small corners here on earth to escape to.

@ Marja - I think I'd rather stay here too .. and seeing pictures of New Zealand .. I might come and join you over there .. looks glorious.

Thanks Madeleine, Teresa, Manzanita and Marja .. great to have your thoughts ...

@ Melissa - I don't like to think of it .. it's bad enough sharing pancakes and getting the biggest and thus the best - but selecting planets - and who will the big powers be then? So sadly I agree with your comment ...

@ Ellie - this is up your street isn't it .. Glad you enjoyed the memory trip ..

Funny how the very talk of space travel sends a shiver down my spine when I believe that there is so much out there for us. Fear of the unknown I suppose. It makes little sense to me to think that we are alone and then I go down the route of wondering where it all ends, what is infinity? Why are we here? Such thoughts gave me many a sleepless night as a child LOL! As for setting up home on a distant planet - perhaps one day that will be as simple as moving to Australia is now. (Oh my, do you ever feel your brain is just not big enough?)

Hi Stephen, thank you for this; it was a great reading about space. I have always been fascinated about space and will look forward to the day where mankind can take flight into space like they are taking flight to other countries now.

@ Deborah - I've never thought of space like that ... it's just sort of there - what I find so interesting is to know it's all interconnected - where's the end? .. why are we here? ... those thoughts are fascinating - and about my brain being very very small and completely inadequate = often! I'd love to know and understand ... however realise I/we never will.

@ Susanne - thanks very much I'll be over ...

@ Davina - glad you've connected with Stephen .. his books are great.

Seeing the earth from outer space, or from the moon with our own eyes would I agree be amazing .. but I'm happy with others showing us their pictures!!

@ JD - I hope that's true .. but we won't ever know .. but I'll be with you and the Underdog ..

@ Talon - you've said it ... we are so tiny in that grand scheme up there - which just keeps on getting bigger ..

A - Z Banner

About Me

A lover of life – who after London, spent time in South Africa; an administrator, sports lover, who enjoys cooking and entertaining ... who through her mother’s illness found a new passion – writing, in particular blogging; which provides an opportunity for future exploration, by the daughter, who has (in her 3rd age years) found a love of historical education. Curiosity didn’t kill this cat – interaction is the key!